Giving Thanks for Baby. Terri Reed

wanting to see her mother. The woman hadn’t been there for her growing up. Why should she be there for her now?

      Trista stood and began to unbuckle Aidan from the high chair. “You know what? Forget it. I’ll figure something else out.”

      Kelly reached for her hand. “Of course we’ll watch him.”

      Ross came around the table to put his arms around Trista much as he had when they were kids. Love for her brother brought tears to her eyes. She’d burdened him her whole life with her problems, and she still was. He’d been the rock in her chaotic world. She clung to him.

      “Sis, I just worry that Mom will pass on before you make peace with her.”

      She gave him a squeeze before disengaging from him. “I appreciate your concern. But I don’t feel I need to make peace with her.”

      Ross sighed and nodded. “Well, would you at least come to church with us since you’re dating the assistant pastor?”

      Exasperated, she glared at him. “I’m not dating him.”

      His mouth twisted with suppressed mirth. “Whatever. Will you?”

      “I’ll think about it.”

      To Kelly, Ross stated, “That’s her way of ending a discussion without committing. It usually means no.”

      Hefting a sleepy Aidan on her hip, Trista smiled. “Call me in the morning. That’s as much as I can promise.”

      “Hey, that’s something.” Ross grinned.

      Trista kissed her family goodbye and then drove to her apartment. By the time she arrived, Aidan was fast asleep. He didn’t even stir when she changed his clothes and laid him in his crib.

      As she was getting herself ready for bed, the phone rang.

      “Hello?”

      “Hi, babe.”

      She cringed. She should have let the machine pick up the call. “Kevin, what do you want?”

      “Oh, are we in a bad mood?”

      She closed her eyes as anger washed through her. “Kevin, it’s late. Why are you calling?”

      “I miss you.”

      She nearly gagged. “Right.”

      “Seriously.” He sounded offended. “I’m coming to see you tomorrow.”

      Her heart stalled in her chest. “Why?”

      “We need to talk.”

      “I think we’ve said everything we need to say.”

      “I’ll be there around two.”

      She scrambled for an excuse. “We won’t be here. Aidan and I are going with Ross to visit Mom.”

      There was a moment of silence before he said, “All right. I have an appointment on Monday so how about Tuesday. I’ll take you to lunch.”

      “I’ll have to check my schedule and let you know if that will work.”

      “Fine. I’ll call you tomorrow night to confirm.” He hung up without another word.